Not enough tomatoes on the plant? The fruits remain small and ripen very slowly? Then it's time to fertilize the vegetables. We will explain to you in the article what other benefits coffee grounds have for tomatoes.
These are the benefits of coffee grounds for tomatoes
Coffee grounds are a popular fertilizer that is used in ornamental and kitchen gardens. The home remedy contains macronutrients and microelements that promote growth and fruit formation. Coffee grounds provide plants with nitrogen, which plays an important role in photosynthesis, and vital phosphorus, which stores the energy gained and promotes fruit formation. It is rich in potassium - a plant nutrient that is responsible for regulating water balance. The combination of the three elements strengthens the plants and makes them disease resistant. Regular fertilization with nutrient-rich coffee grounds can also shorten the ripening time of the tomatoes.
Coffee grounds can regulate soil pH
Tomatoes prefer slightly acidic soil. pH values above 6.5 can have a negative effect on growth and flower formation. To avoid this, you can incorporate coffee grounds into the soil. It has to be said here that the pH values of the coffee grounds can vary depending on the variety. For example, Robusta coffee beans are acidic and Arabica is fairly low in acid. In general, any coffee grounds can help lower the soil pH.
Coffee grounds improve soil permeability
Coffee grounds can improve soil permeability. In this case it is crucial that you get the right amountdried coffee groundsused. Too much of a good thing can have the opposite effect and even worsen drainage.
Make your own tomato fertilizer with coffee grounds and compost
The positive effect of coffee grounds does not become apparent immediately after the first use. The home remedy works more like a long-term fertilizer - it gradually releases nutrients and enriches the soil over a longer period of time. This means that coffee grounds are not suitable as a rescue aid for weakened tomato plants. If you want to strengthen tomatoes quickly, you have to mix the coffee grounds with compost. Make sure that the natural tomato fertilizer consists of no more than 20% coffee grounds and no less than 80% compost.
Fertilize tomatoes correctly with coffee grounds: instructions
Coffee grounds can slow down the germination processes. Therefore, only use the home remedy on young plants that have just sprouted and on tomatoes that have already grown. The quantity given is for one plant, approximately 60 to 80 cm high.
Use about 3 tablespoons of coffee grounds for outdoor plants and 1 tablespoon for potted plants. Sprinkle the coffee grounds on newspaper. Allow it to dry completely overnight at room temperature before using it the next day.
Work the coffee grounds into the soil about 5 cm - 7 cm deep. This will speed up the decomposition of the coffee grounds and they will release the nutrients into the soil more quickly.
By the way, you can also make coffee grounds brew yourself. In this case, boil water and pour it over the coffee grounds. Let it steep overnight, strain the next morning and pour the brew into a spray bottle. Wet the soil in the root area with the broth and spray the leaves and shoots. Coffee grounds have another advantage – they keep many pests away.
For outdoor plants:
Administer the coffee grounds every 20 days to young plants and every 30 days to tomatoes that have already grown.
For potted plants and plants in the greenhouse:
Once directly before or after flower formation and a second time after the plant bears fruit.
